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General discussion

OKEY EVERBODY........HERE'S THE QUESTION; IN THE 50" TO 60"

Jun 23, 2007 7:18PM PDT

RANGE, WHAT "HDTV" WOULD YOU BUY FOR $2,000.00 to $3,000??? (The Sony KDS-R60XBR2, has been eliminated due to excessive 'wing-span.')

Some thoughts include the PIO 5070 and 5080; SAMSUNG'S LN-T5265F (price a little steep), HL-T6187S & HL-T6189S (LED-DLPs); SONY'S..........


Well, you get the drift.... ALMOST all suggestions welcome......


Thanks as always,

RIVERLEDGE.

Discussion is locked

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MY PROLEM WITH THE BEAUTIFUL SAMSUNG IS THE FURNITURE.....
Jul 5, 2007 11:23AM PDT

PIECE I PLANNED TO PUT IT ON is 31" high Bookcase; SAMSUNG says NO higher than
19" to 21" based stand. Otherwise the picture look distorted and inferior. I believe there is also a long thread on AVS about this issue.

I'm not for a minute KNOCKING the HDTV itself, just wish I knew this BEFORE I PURCHASED my piece of furniture, that's all.

Stupid but sincere,
riverledge.

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It's a Good Point
Jul 5, 2007 12:00PM PDT

I too stood and watched the 89 and the 2020 side by side and couldn't help but wonder if I was seeing better PQ in one over the other because of adjustment. But even so, quality is somewhat subjective. I watched over 15 minutes of nature clips, sports clips, movie clips, and ads...the 2020 just looked better to me. And since the 3000 is coming in a month or so, I'll probably hold out for it to get the HDMI 1.3. Otherwise, I probably would get the 89...they are both excellent quality.

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GLAD YOU UNDERSTOOD MY POST. I TOO WILL PROBABLY..........
Jul 5, 2007 1:33PM PDT

WAIT FOR THE SONY A3000'S as well. GLAD YOU UNDERSTOOD MY POST. I don't need those features, however. I'll probably buy the 60A2020 for a song; though I really like the styling of the A3000's.

riverledge.

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River
Jul 5, 2007 10:54PM PDT

When I see your name I think of the brain washed chick on Firefly. That's not you is it? =P J/K

The 89 will definitely be an alternative should the 3000 be too expensive or not turn out to be what I thought (XBR2 speaker wings anyone?) Sure it will look just fine in my home, despite the store differences.

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Vertical off-axis
Jul 9, 2007 1:39AM PDT

I guess if people watch their TV's from a standing or floor reclining position (and some do, e.g., for exercise videos), the "off-axis" comment makes sense. Otherwise it's an irrelevant comment for most folks, and to the extent it's an issue, it's an issue for all rear projection sets, be they DLP or LCoS.

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PULLED "PROVEBIAL TRIGGER" ON PANASONIC TH-58PX600U.....
Jul 6, 2007 1:09PM PDT

DID IT, DONE IT.!!!


love to all,
riverledge.


COMMENTS WELCOME..............riv.................

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Finally fell off the fence. Good!
Jul 7, 2007 1:36AM PDT

You were vascillating so much you were making us nervous. Now, if you post that you're a newbie who bought online & now is clueless as to how to make the connections, we'll scream.

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Congratulations River
Jul 7, 2007 5:15AM PDT

I hope you enjoy the hell out of your new television. And Im glad that you went with the 58" over the smaller size.

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THANKS, HOPE IT'S NOT OVERKILL.
Jul 7, 2007 10:22AM PDT

river.

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Sounds like
Jul 7, 2007 2:30PM PDT

The right choice to me. You will love it.

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Thank you,
Jul 7, 2007 2:39PM PDT

River.

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I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO RESPONDED...............
Jul 7, 2007 2:37PM PDT

TO THIS SEMI-GENERIC POST. 70 REPLIES NOT TOO BAD. THANKS TO JOSTEN & his brother for jumping aboard to keep the thread alive. A lot of ground has been covered. So I did finally to bite the proverbial bullet; yes, I know you all thought I'd and chicken out for a VIZIO.

HAA, HAA, Steweeee

I decided 1080P is not worth unless you plan to use it regularly.

Thanks to BillMN as well, because he's going to teach me what these fancy wires are for, right, Bill!?!?!


BY the way I bought a PANASONIC TH-58PX600U.


ADD TO THE THREAD.........it's still going well.


Always,
River.

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Teaching about wires? Ha. When I changed over to a
Jul 7, 2007 11:24PM PDT

Denon 4806 I had to re-read possible wiring options over like four times to decide. Very dry reading material, but the company actually covered everything most of us will ever encounter. But with progress, the wiring maze & what wires to use, gets even more complex.

Our often recommended monoprice is a good place to look for reasonably priced cables.

As a big a deal as the TV is to you, I'm seriously contemplating updating my Mission stereo listening speakers for B&W 804 s3, marked down a grand right now as the maker is, once again redoing a few models. Even now, that means 3 grand, something that I don't sneeze at.

As always, that means deferring yet again some other possible ways to spend my funds. So, that rather than an HDTV sooner rather than later. And the list goes on.

As a retiree with no dental coverage, the dentists would like to extract several thousand from me, too.
But first things first, you have the nice TV & I'll probably be the father of new speakers bordering on too expensive for most to consider, but I've described myself as a 45 year audiophile wannabee.

Happy viewing pleasure. Your selection is indeed fine.

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ARE YOU PLANNING TO IMPORT THE MISSIONS YOURSELF???
Jul 8, 2007 3:21AM PDT

A COLLEGE BUDDY HAD AN UNBELIEVABLE PAIR (things were just 2.0, back then, of course.) I can just picture a 7.1 MISSION set-up!!!

OR looking to purchase the whole (7.1) kitandkaboodle from B&W? Yes I can see that getting a tad pricey.


Best wishes as always,
River.

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I've had a nice pair of Missions for 20-25 years. I
Jul 8, 2007 6:05AM PDT

replaced top of the line Polks as my tastes matured. The Missions were cheaper than the Polks but introduced me to a "transparent soundfield" that made the Polks sound very muddy in comparison.

I got a bee in my bonnet now as B&W is replacing a few models, so the 804s are a grand off, but still three grand. Oh my, how fantasitc they sound to me. Nothing but pure sound so crystal clear with no smearing voices as lisping or sibalance. No boxey sound, not aware of the speakers, just the music.

Yes, very self indulgent to consider, but regulars may remember my thing about being a audiophile wannabee for 45 years. I guess dental work or a wall for around the house will have to wait yet again.

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BILL, YOU KNOW BETTER THAN MOST, THE QUEST IS THE MOST....
Jul 8, 2007 12:22PM PDT

EXCITING, ALL ENCOMPASSING PART OF THIS HOBBY. We may be just a bit picky, but hardly as ESOTERIC as the AVS forum. If I weren't so attached to my KLIPSCH FORTE II's, I go for some outrageously priced B&W NATILUS SNAILS.


Best,
River.

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Exciting & encompassing -yes, once you have the fever.
Jul 8, 2007 12:33PM PDT

By the way, it's to be two 804 series 3 speakers for glorious two channel hi fidelity music, not home theater.

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GO, RUN DON'T WALK, BUY THEM ON SALE!!!
Jul 8, 2007 12:53PM PDT

Best wishes,

River.

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Moved on to speakers now?
Jul 9, 2007 1:08AM PDT

Well now that I've settled on a receiver, at the urgent pleading of my good friend River, I'm looking at speakers now. Considering the Harman/kardon HKTS 15s plus the HKTS 6s to round out 7.1. Whatcha think?

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Yes Riv, I've done the deed.
Jul 9, 2007 7:25AM PDT

I'm now the proud father of a set of B&W 804 series 3. Dealer demo with full warranty.

For the 1st time I considered the sophistication, subtlety & of course, expense beyond what I would normally regard as feasible - & figured (without any investigation) such a product deserves more than the Home Depot 59 cents a foot speaker wire.

The cables are Purist Vesta from their bulk roll, terminated with banana plugs at the receiver being Ultralink SA Gold. Perhaps overkill, I don't know but this is quite an investment. I want to maximize the potential of such refined speakers.

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Congrats Mr. Bill
Jul 9, 2007 11:18AM PDT

now.... you better stop self-effacing yourself with the self proclaimed title of audiophile wannable of 45 years...

When you recover from the cost, and get your teeth and wall fixed, don't forget about the cd player, mine made an enormous difference, not even funny.

Anyways, that is a fantastic price. What's sale tax in NM anyways? I got sweet babies, and yet, Im still a bit jealous! Happy

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Never to regret your babies, I didn't resist that 25% rare
Jul 9, 2007 12:17PM PDT

B&W discount on demos that are apparently being updated by B&W. And I get the full warranty. Sales tax here is technically a gross receipts tax on the seller, not the buyer, but it makes no practical difference. Albuquerque city is at, I think, 6.805%. So I helped the city coffers.

Ok, I am now a small time audiophile; no longer just a wannabe.

Thanks, friends.

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ENJOY, ENJOY..........CELEBRATE, WHAT THE HELL!!!!!!
Jul 10, 2007 12:50PM PDT

RIVER.


P.S. The 58" PANNY due tomorrow afternoon.

P.P.S. Feel like a kid the candy store!

riv.

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Nautilus
Jul 9, 2007 12:36PM PDT

I must say that the pricing for Model Nautilus is quite reasonable, as the performance is only somewhat matched by the Logan Statement E-2's (which is a stretch right there), which are clear above $100,000.00. At $40,000.00 for the pair, I was able to justify. Just make sure you are powering them correctly, and you will find they do as they are promised to do: Neither give nor take away from the experience. Have you auditioned them? I think you might find a new audio attachment that is a worthwile investment (maybe some competition for me) if you can appreciate that magnitude of sonic excellence.

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well price point is even out of range for crazy me...yet
Jul 9, 2007 1:14PM PDT

Ive never seen the Nautilus, nor the Statement, the latter of which I believe is custom made per buyer, correct?

I did hear some Dynaudio Evidence, C4s, and Focal Grande Utopia's, all of which are fantastic. Otoh, I wonder about your comment about being a "stretch right there" even if I've never heard the Nautilus. Just my opinion, but I prefer my Summits to the other speakers I list (as well as to B&W 800 series Diamonds), at a much smaller cost. There just simply aren't tweeters that can match the transients and decay of electrostats, imho, AND this detail I find comes with MUCH LESS sibilance. Ever hear Glenn Gould on berrylium tweeters? HISSSSSSSSSSSS...

Now, there are other compromises, such as sweet spot (but when you're in it...WOW), required space from boundaries (but don't all speakers), super low impedance (but at this price point, don't all have adequate amping), some dynamic compression at highest volumes (yet nothing touches them for low level detail)- and otoh I could never get these to distort at maximum output, which I imagine means they are extremely hard to "blow", and finally I listen to 99% acoustical instrumentation anyways.

Anyhoo, I am curious as to what you feed your speakers?? Happy

and wt heck do you mean by "maybe some competition for me"? As in a race?

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Competition
Jul 9, 2007 1:33PM PDT

No, what I mean is I insist on having the purest system out there and do not want to have to battle the title. I say the E-2's are a stretch because they add space to the listening environment that isn't supposed to be there, and the realism of the soundstage in terms of detail is somewhat vague. The Model Natutilus delivers far better detail than the Diamond domes, even though it has aluminum drivers. I have heard The JBL K-2 series, which have Beryllium domes (and yes, a higher breakup piont than anything else, but the material is heavy by comparrison, not allowing for a truly pistonic motion), and they too are all over the place when it comes to true detail of sound (the response curve is not the least bit smooth. I cannot say I have hear the Dynaudio's (which have received good reviews by many), but I think you need to listen to the Model Nautilus' ability to transport you to another world, where you are where the music dictates, not the walls of your room.
As a side note, I have for source, a Classe, CDT-301 (DVD Transport)and Three McIntosh MDA-1000's (2ch D/A Coverters). For Processor, I have a Classe SSP-900, and for power, I am running 5 McIntosh MC-2KW amplifiers @ 8ohms and .00005 THD, 2000 Watts peak. I am using Analysis-Plus Golden oval interconnects and speaker wire.
Does that answer your question?

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yes it does
Jul 9, 2007 1:46PM PDT

thank you. Look forward to the first time hearing some Nautilus'. Or, maybe I shouldn't. Anyways, just one of your amps costs more than my entire audiophile giddyap. So... do you use a Nautilus for a center speaker? What about the surrounds? (I presume that's why you have 5 monoblocks, or I guess you could bi-amp fronts and...).

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NautilusII
Jul 11, 2007 2:36PM PDT

I have 5 midnight black Model Nautilus Lodspeakers. They are quadwired, each having a McIntosh MC-2KW all to their self. I can do it for the centre because I have a front projector setup (Runco SCP-1 DLP, sweet!). Surrounds no prob, I've got plenty of space.

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Now
Jul 12, 2007 4:33PM PDT

that is just ********. You better be listening to a lot of multi channel music with that setup. Otherwise that is absolute overkill. What kind of car do you drive? Can I have your job? Happy

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Dear ns, my personal big deal of getting B&W 804s should be
Jul 9, 2007 11:15PM PDT

a worthwhile investment for long term pleasure of enjoying sound over a quite sophisticated technologically & subtle delivery system. I certainly did listen A-B comparison for a few hours total against the rest of the B&W models & then at another dealer, the same CDs I am intimately familiar with with flagship & mini monitors over there.

I gave a serious hearing to six models. Not a bad speaker in the bunch, but I had the opportunity to select an experience that awed me (& I started with a pair of Tannoy 15" dual concentrics 45 years ago.)

I thought the 804s project very pure sound without any hint of energy busyness I heard in others. That is stark, yes , & the object of objection by some who found it a different sound than what they prefer, namely they want to musicality of harmonics & said B&Ws are made by engineers but the company ought to put a couple of musicians in responsible design of the line.

Well, one man's meat & another man's poison. I chose my character of sound reproduction. Stark to me has silent neutrality & it's up to the creative process of creating music to form what musicality the work has. Again, a deliberate selection that another person would not agree with at all. But I think I now can have world class sound.

I am powering it with the powerful Denon 4806. Bi-amping so I can provide the highly efficient 90dB 804s with with dynamic power at 4 ohms - 560 watts per channel potential. Yes, an A/V power source is not ideal. Lesser, mid-range A/V receivers aren't focused on sufficient headroom because their goals are different with all the multi channels.

I feel B&W is an important major player in fine speakers. And, yes, not the particular character of sound for some tastes. Their amazing accuracy is less musical than some other alternatives. I am not going to play the lottery in hopes of a big hit so I could consider conspicuous consumption by auditioning the B&W Nautilius which I think is $60,000 list price. I have some idea of t=knowing where to stop.